Time to say goodbye to the beard with the BIC Shave Club

Get ready for Bic Shave Club because 1 in 4 British men will leave behind hipster beards and handlebar moustaches and opt for the clean-shaven look in 2018. BIC Shave Club launches today in the UK, a brand new subscription-based service of non-disposable, refillable razors for men. Allowing you to receive fresh blades delivered on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to meet your shaving needs, the ultra-performant razor and refill kit is available exclusively online, with a launch-exclusive trial offer available for just £2.95 on the 5-blade razor (instead of the usual £8/month).

With Tom Hardy, Leo Di Caprio and Conor McGregor all sporting bushy beards over the last year, the demise of facial hair may come as a surprise to some. However, the professional, minimalistic and well-kept look is the trend for 2018.

BIC surveyed 2,000 British men to uncover their preferences and behaviour when it comes to facial hair grooming. The research finds the days of full-on facial fuzz are soon to be behind us and facial grooming and style is evidently becoming much more important to the British male, with 28% admitting to spending more time on their facial hair compared to any other kind of grooming, including styling the hair on their head, body shaving and moisturising.

The research reveals minimalist stubble is a popular choice for British men, coming in second place and proving Brits are opting to play it safe with their grooming next year. In third place came the full bushy beard, with just 5% opting for this trend in 2018, followed by extended sideburns and the goatee in joint fourth (4%).

Londoners remain the ‘edgiest’ and most daring, with almost 1 in 10 (8%) wishing the handlebar moustache trend would make a reappearance!

Whilst those in the capital are known for rocking their bold facial hairstyles, many may not immediately think of the Midlands as having carved out their own notorious style. However, the research reveals men in the West Midlands spend both the most time and money on facial grooming compared to any other region in the UK. While the average British male spends £2.99 per week and 5 minutes 31 seconds per day styling their facial hair, those in the West Midlands are spending £3.43 per week and 6 minutes 4 seconds per day.

In addition, the research reveals the celebrities – past and present – whose facial hairstyles British men are most envious of, therefore wishing to steal for themselves. Leading the pack is David Beckham, with 1 in 10 British men admitting to admiring the sport legend’s grooming style, followed by Johnny Depp in second place, Ryan Gosling in third and Justin Timberlake in fourth.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Clark Gable and Hulk Hogan, with which just 1% of the British male population, said they would like to emulate their facial hair.

There are also a number of well-known historical figures and characters that are instantly recognised for their ‘strong’ beards or memorable facial hairstyles. Proving the most popular with British men is Obi Wan Kenobi, with almost 1 in 5 British men choosing the character as having the most memorable beard. Superman came in second place with 18% of the vote, arguably the closest shaven of the list, followed by Che Guevara (9%) and Brian Blessed (6%).

Marcus Jaye, AKA The Chic Geek, predicts what facial grooming will look like fifty years from now. The predictions, including futuristic and unusual designs such as ‘the monkey tail’, were then styled on five models at Sharps Barbers to bring the designs to life.

Marcus analysed the trends of yesteryear, including the most notorious styles and designs of history including sensational sideburns in the 19th century, the ‘trench ‘tache’ from WWI and the wildness of the Swinging Sixties.

“The future will mark the combination of technology and grooming. In fifty years from now, in 2067, we could have facial recognition programs able to assess your face and give you the perfect facial hair style to suit your proportions. You’ll be able to mix, match and choose a style that is right for you” Marcus commented.

“Advances in technology will revolutionise the tools of the male grooming trade. Man has a history of engineering accomplishments, and soon this will be reflected in the facial hair of the future. From intricate geometric and fluid patterns to dead straight lines, almost anything will be achievable with millimetres of precision”